The ARU has announced on Wednesday afternoon that the Wallabies will host Ireland in the first ever three-Test series between the nations during next year’s June international window.
Ireland, who are ranked No.4 in the world, haven’t travelled to Australia since 2010, but have won their last two matches against the Wallabies, both in Dublin by three points on Spring Tours in 2014 and 2016.
Australia and Ireland compete for the Lansdowne Cup, which currently belongs with the Irish. They have previously played two-Test series Down Under, with the last of those coming in 2003.
The Wallabies haven’t lost a Test on home soil to Ireland since 1979 and hold a strong advantage head-to-head over the Emerald Isle, having won 21 and drawn one of the 33 matches played between the nations.
ARU CEO Bill Pulver said the series should be a hard-fought one, and that he was happy to have Ireland touring for three Tests.
“The rivalry between the two nations has grown enormously in recent years with some memorable encounters,” said Pulver.
“With a huge number of Irish expats living in Australia, Ireland will enjoy strong support when they are here for matches in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.”
Ireland Rugby president Phillip Browne echoed the sentiments of his Australian counterpart, saying he was excited Ireland had the opportunity to travel next June.
“Games involving Ireland and Australia are always great occasions and this is will be an exciting tour,” Browne said.
“The Irish diaspora are renowned for supporting the Irish team when they visit their new homes so we know there will be a party atmosphere to match the world class rugby.”
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st Test | Saturday, June 9 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane |
| 2nd Test | Saturday, June 16 | AAMI Park, Melbourne |
| 3rd Test | Saturday, June 23 | Allianz Stadium, Sydney |
Derm
Roar Guru
Hoy there was a previous tour. Ireland were the first from Britain and Ireland to win a proper tour in Australia in 1979 playing I think 8 matches including two tests. They won every match bar one against I think a combined side whose name now escapes me. Mike Gibson played his last test on the tour.
DrTootr
Guest
Good to hear, the Irish have a good rugby team and the Irish fans are great craic too!
Taylorman
Guest
Ollie, Ollie, Ollie...thought he was great.
redbull
Guest
The Docklands match in 2008 wasn't packed out, so I guess they figured to go to a smaller ground where it will be same size crowd but louder.
PiratesRugby
Guest
Cheika has already lost to England and Scotland at home. In fact he's yet to register a win against one of the home nations in Australia.
Anon
Guest
I have a suspicion they held off on the announcement until now because the Uachtarán is currently here on a state visit - good way to get some press perhaps? He was at the press conference to announce it w/ Bill Pulver.
Henry Honey Balls
Guest
Ireland fans will fill it out no problem. Thinking of going myself. The record attendance for a world cup game was Ireland v Romania in England. Even the small games tend to get good attendances. Interestingly an Australia home game holds the record for the highest attended international rugby match of all time v NZ in 2000. Would be very disappointed if these games aren't sell outs especially since the Wales tour in 2012 and the England tour in '16 were all more or less sell outs.
Bakkies
Guest
Yep Pot. Holds around 30,000 usually but due to the big screen it's reduced down.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Certainly been overdue for them to tour in general. In hindsight the ARU should have back in 2010-2012 tried to organize Ireland to tour here in 2014, which would have made France viable and more lucrative for this year with the Lions tour. As it worked out the option was France tour here for the 2nd time in 4 years instead of SA or what we ended up with.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Thanks, I meant with Ireland.
simmo
Guest
None will sell out
Sulzberg
Guest
Ireland 3 - 0
Derm
Roar Guru
Well having a 28,000 capacity stadium for the second test is a good way to restrict numbers. They can't be expecting that many.
Derm
Roar Guru
28,000?? Seriously?
BOGGLES THE MIND
Guest
I predict a 3-0 Ireland or 2-1 Ireland series win. If Cheika is still around, that should see him sacked immediately.
Fionn
Guest
I'm planning on going to every test, so I hope that there is a big Irish contingent. I'm trying to convince my cousins who came on the 2013 Lions tour to come over from Ireland to follow this one with me also.
melbourneterrace
Guest
"With a huge number of Irish expats living in Australia, Ireland will enjoy strong support when they are here for matches in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.” Seriously, how pathetic are the ARU? Australia must be the only country that encourages, let alone relies on away fans to fill their stadiums for home tests. Everywhere else in the world you would be hoping that the percentage of home fans to guarantee is maximised to give a home ground advantage.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
then again you might 3-0 a la England
Derm
Roar Guru
Nearly correct. World Rugby announced this last May. It’s part of the restructured global season that starts from 2020 with only 2 tests (following a RWC) held in July.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
You’re right, Mike, about the move to July to make life easier for SR. The hunt is currently on in England to discover which halfwits at the RFU agreed to that. They must have been drunk or taking happy pills. The benefit for the SH is easy to see. Quite what the NH get out of it we’re scratching our heads trying to work out. As you can imagine, the news that their 10 month slog of a season has now become an11 month slog of a season has left the players with their jaws dropped. We haven’t heard the last of this one.